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    YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

    22nd June, 2010

    A new initiative by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland (Dardni) provides a unique opportunity for sea anglers to have their say in the management of sea bass stocks.

    The story starts in the South of Ireland about 20 years ago, where Sea bass have been restrictively managed for recreational/tourism angling since stocks were plundered by commercial netting in the 1970s/80s.

    This may well be the only example across the whole EU where a marine species has been managed as a recreational species.

    Now Northern Ireland authorities are proposing to do the same so that the island of Ireland treats bass in a similar way.

    TIME IS SHORT! CONSULTATION ENDS 24TH AUGUST 2010

    It doesn’t matter where you live in Europe you are entitled to have your say. If you are involved in the angling business in any way - you absolutely must register your opinion to the Northern Irish Government.

    You can respond online by cutting and pasting the form (which is from the dardni website) below to an email, and then fill it in and send it to mailto:myrtle.ferguson@dardni.gov.uk

    It’s important that you agree to all the points below if you want the Northern Ireland bass legislation to be the same as in the south and their bass stocks protected for anglers.


    Proposal: Agree Do Not Agree Comments
    A bag limit of 2 Bass retained over a 24-hour period





    A closed recreational angling season from the 15th May to the 15th June





    Prohibition on the first sale of Bass Hotel/Restaurant owner?
    Would a ban affect your business?





    Prohibition on the retention of Bass less than 40cm in length





    Prohibition of fishing for Bass by any means other than rod and line





    Prohibition on the retention on board of Bass by any UK sea fishing vessel within the Northern Ireland zone








    Any other comments on the Sea Bass Proposals.


















    If you wish to comment on the Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment or draft EQIA Screening document please do so on a separate sheet.


    In line with DARD’s policy of openness, at the end of the consultation period copies of the responses we receive may be made publicly available. We will also publish a summary of the points raised at public and stakeholder meetings. The information the responses contain may also be published in a summary.


    If you do not consent to this, you must clearly request that your response is treated confidentially. Any confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system in e-mail responses will not be treated as such a request. You should also be aware that there might be circumstances in which the Department will be required to communicate information to third parties on request, in order to comply with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations.


    I want* / do not want* this response to be treated confidentially.
    [*delete as appropriate]




    Signed: ______________________


    Date: _______________________